Just as she reached it, it opened, and Alfred Dinks and Fanny Newt entered.

Hope bowed, and was passing on.
"Stop, Hope!" whispered Alfred, excitedly.
She turned at the door and looked at her cousin, who, with uncertain bravado, advanced with Fanny to his mother, who was gazing at them in amazement, and said, in a thick, hurried voice, "Mother, this is your daughter Fanny--my wife--Mrs.Alfred Dinks." As she heard these words Hope Wayne went out, closing the door behind her, leaving the mother alone with her children.
Mrs.Dinks sat speechless in her chair for a few moments, staring at Alfred, who looked as if his legs would not long support him, and at Fanny, who stood calmly beside him.

At length she said to Alfred, "Is that woman really your wife ?" "Yes, 'm," replied the new husband.
"What are you going to support her with ?" "I have my allowance," said Alfred, in a very small voice.
"Mrs.Alfred Dinks, your husband's allowance is six hundred dollars a year from his father.

I wish you joy." There was a sarcastic sparkle in her eyes.

Mrs.Dinks had long felt that she and Fanny were contesting a prize.